M 90
of calcareous matter from the bones causing them to become softened and porous. It is particularly manifest in the bones of the head causing enlargement and bulging of the face and jaws, thereby giving rise to the term "BIG HEAD".
The disease affects cattle, horses, mules of all ages classes and sexes; and is found under all climatic conditions. It may occur sporadically; but in Australia, Africa, South Seas, and Hongkong it is endemic.
Its causes obscure but it has been found that animals grazing on land lacking in certain minerals, or those subject to dietic errors, have become affected. This would appear to indicate insufficient calcium salts. Many authorities believe it to be of microbic origin.
Still others say it is due to lack of vitamines in the feed. But the most likely cause is when animals are not fed with what is known as a properly balanced ration. Animals feeding on too much bulky fodder such as rice straw which contains mostly innutritious fibrous material in proportion to too little concentrated food containing Proteid carbohydrate and fat. Certain animals seem constitutionally predisposed to be affected by the disease; for instance, in dairy cattle it is always the very deep milking cows that are mostly affected but here certain substances containing a very high proportion of vitamines have been known to check and cure the disease. The disease is probably not due to germs as only a few animals in each herd or stable are affected; it does not run right through a herd like rinderpest, and it cannot be transmitted by blood transfusion.
In man it has been claimed to be caused by a specific bacillus (Micrococeus Nitrificans).
Treatment:-The best treatment is a complete change of climate and food conditions; these often bring about a cure in a few months. Slake lime in the drinking water should be good but where the disease is established it is useless, certain substance containing a high proportion of vitamines are good but they are expensive and can only be used for very valuable animals.
M. J. REIDY, M.R.C.V.S.,
Acting Colonial Veterinary Surgeon.
Page 390
Page 391
M 90
of calcareous matter from the bones causing them to become softened and porous. It is particularly manifest in the bones of the head causing enlargement and bulging of the face and jaws, thereby giving rise to the term "BIG HEAD".
The disease affects cattle, horses, mules of all ages classes and sexes; and is found under all climatic conditions. It may occur sporadically; but in Australia, Africa, South Seas, and Hongkong it is endemic.
Its causes obscure but it has been found that animals grazing on land lacking in certain minerals, or those subject to dietic errors, have become affected. This would appear to in- dicate insufficient calcium salts. Many authorities believe it to be of microbic origin.
Still others say it is due to lack of vitamines in the feed. But the most likely cause is when animals are not fed with what is known as a properly balanced ration. Animals feeding on too much bulky fodder such as rice straw which contains mostly in- nutritious fibrous material in proportion to too little concentrated food containing Proteid carbohydrate and fat. Certain animals seem constitutionally predisposed to be affected by the disease; for instance, in dairy cattle it is always the very deep milking cows that are mostly affected but here certain substances contain- ing a very high proportion of vitamines have been known to check and cure the disease. The disease is probably not due to germs as only a few animal in each herd or stable are affected; it does not run right through a herd like rinderpest, and it cannot be transmitted by blood transfusion.
In man it has been claimed to be caused by a specific bacillus (Micrococeus Nitrificans).
Treatment:-The best treatment is a complete change of climate and food conditions; these often bring about a cure in a few months. Slake lime in the drinking water should be good but where the disease is established it is useless, certain sub- stance containing a high proportion of vitamines are good but they are expensive and can only be used for very valuable. animals.
M. J. REIDY, M.B.C.V.S.,
Acting Colonial Veterinary Surgeon.
Page 390Page 391
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